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Ananda Kiamsha Madelyn Leeke's Discussions
July 2009 Content - Milton Bowens' Environmental Justice Art
Started Sep. 25, 2009
RIP Michael Jackson – A Major Force of Creative Inspiration in My Life
2 Replies
Started this discussion. Last reply by Ananda Kiamsha Madelyn Leeke Jun. 26, 2009.
Love's Troubadours
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Welcome to Go Green Sangha! Happy New Year! Happy New Decade! Happy Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service!
In honor of Dr. King’s Day of Service, I am sharing information about two free online yoga classes I am teaching to celebrate Yoga…
Profile Information
- Name
- Ananda Kiamsha Madelyn Leeke, Go Green BAP (Black American Princess)
- Web Site
- www.lovestroubadours.com
- About Me
- Ananda Kiamsha Madelyn Leeke is a Go Green BAP (Black American Princess) who shares her gifts as a yoga teacher, Reiki Master practitioner, artist, writer, creativity coach, radio host, and life entrepreneur. She owns and operates Kiamsha.com, LLC, a company that allows her to share her healing arts gifts. Currently, she works as an artist-in-residence for Smith Farm Center for Healing and the Arts at Howard University Hospital. As an artist-in-residence, Leeke engages patients and medical staff in creative expression, guiding them to tap inherent creative and cultural roots through breathing, relaxation, and reiki healing touch exercises; and a variety of mediums including visual arts, music, storytelling, and creative writing.
Since 1995, Leeke’s mixed media collages, wire sculptures, and paintings have been exhibited in the Washington D.C. metropolitan area, North Carolina, and Kentucky. The Women’s Collective and Howard University Hospital own Leeke’s wire sculpture collections dedicated to communities of color living with HIV/AIDS. In 2001, her artwork was featured in Heart and Soul Magazine.
Leeke’s poetry is featured in Beyond the Frontier: African American Poetry for the 21st Century edited by E. Ethelbert Miller. Leeke has also self-published several books of poetry and women’s creativity workbooks. In addition, Leeke has facilitated expressive arts and self-care workshops for women of color living with HIV/AIDS; cancer patients, their caregivers, and health care providers; interfaith communities attending the Washington National Cathedral’s women’s spirituality conferences; children with unique learning styles; and lay ministers.
In 2007, Leeke's debut novel Love's Troubadours - Karma: Book One (www.lovestroubadours.com) was published by iUniverse, Inc. Her novel tells the story of Karma Francois, a thirtysomething Oakland-born BoHo BAP (Bohemian Black American Princess) with Louisiana and urban debutante flair. The novel begins with Karma's life in an uproar. Her relationships and the museum curator career that she struggled to form in New York City have crumbled, leaving no viable options to rebuild. Relocating to Washington, DC, Karma struggles with denial, depression, and debt. A lack of full-time employment opportunities forces her to craft a gypsy existence as a Jill of Many Trades: yoga teacher, art consultant, and freelance curator at Howard University Gallery of Art. Unable and unwilling to appreciate these jobs as gifts, she wallows in a pool of lost identity-and doesn't see a way to keep from drowning. When she looks in the mirror, Karma sees a woman whose choices have dishonored her true character. Now, for the first time in her life, Karma must learn to see herself for who she really is. Love's Troubadours - Karma: Book One is available on Amazon.com and at Howard University Bookstore.
In response to positive feedback from Love's Troubadours' readers and to honor women who share the life experiences of the main character in her novel, Leeke created BAP Living social networking site (http://baplivingforbapsandebw.ning.com/) and BAP Living Radio (www.talkshoe.com/tc/18598). These Internet media projects celebrate and connect women of African descent who self-identify as Black American Princesses (BAPs) and Educated Black Women (EBW). They also offer BAPs and EBW an opportunity to build an online community that functions as sacred space where they can tell their stories, affirm each other, dream out loud, laugh, learn, and discuss issues of concern.
Leeke is a graduate of Morgan State University (B.A. in French, 1986), Howard University School of Law (J.D., 1989), and Georgetown University Law Center (LL.M. in Securities and Financial Regulation, 1991). Her memberships include the National League of American Pen Women, Yoga Alliance, Cultural Alliance of Greater Washington’s Business Volunteer Program, Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc., All Souls Unitarian Church, Insight Meditation Community of Washington’s People of Color Sangha and Refuge3 Sangha, and Results Gym. Leeke lives and plays in Washington, D.C.’s historic U Street neighborhood.
- What does sangha or community mean to you?
- I wrote a poem that best describes what sangha means to me. Wanna hear it? It goes like this ...
wake up call #1 by ananda kiamsha madelyn leeke
copyright 2008 by madelyn c. leeke. all rights reserved.
(excerpt from that which awakens me - december 2008)
sitting in a room filled with cherished comrades
people of all shapes, sizes, and colors
i relax into the beauty of their natural scene
i notice their smiles
the kindness in their eyes
the willingness to embrace with hugs
i realize that they are the ones who wear the wings of guardian angels
they gracefully fly into the depths of my varying emotions
and wade with me in an ocean of blue filled with white clouds and sunshine
they travel with me without knowing my final destination
and their presence allows me to breathe in space
space that has become a sanctuary
a sanctuary that has become sweetness
and with each intimate detail that i share
they judge not
they encourage me to remove the masks that i have chosen to wear
i linger in the background out of a need to protect ... out of my great fear ...
yet they walk with me despite my hesitation
together we discover sangha
a community rich with space
a community seeking and finding the will to build and maintain sanctuary
a community intent on sharing sweetness
a community destined to serve the needs of all
i linger in this space with one less mask
wondering how did i come to be a part of an experiment of authentic humanity
before my mind can engage in discussion the bell rings
we all settle in
breaths are taken
eyes are closed
spines are lengthened
shoulders are relaxed
feet are planted firmly on the floor
and the question that i was seeking to answer is no more
the only thing that is left is the silence
the silence of oneness
the wake up call i have each time i walk through my sangha's door
- Do you practice green living? If yes, how?
- Yes. I try to practice green living as a mindfulness practice. It helps me stay aware of my daily choices. It reminds me to conserve energy, walk and touch nature, recycle, practice reiki and yoga, save money, donate what I am not using, eat healthy, serve with an open heart, breath deeply, advocate for the earth, and purchase and use products and services that support the earth. I am taking things one breath and step at a time. I am reading more about green living and going slow to incorporate more principles in my life. It is a process. I am on the green living path and having fun as I learn and grow more greener!
- Do you meditate ? If yes what is your practice?
- Yes. I love to do walking meditation on the way to and from work. I also love to sit in the park and meditate. I have experimented for a few minutes with standing meditation. I am passionate about meditation in corpse,Savasana pose. I also like to give myself Reiki when I meditate in the morning. I usually do a short sit along with some yoga in the morning. Then I practice a short bit of meditation while walking to work. Most months I sit with my Refuge3 sangha members for 30 minutes every other Monday. I also like to end a monthly sangha for people of color too. The sits are 30 minutes. I have discovered there is healing power in group meditation. The breathing helps me focus. I like experimenting with different types of breathing.
- What are your favorite eco-friendly products, places to hang out or shop in, and/or web sites?
- Right now I am in love with my eco-friendly toothbrush, journal, and honey oatmeal soap that I purchased from Greater Goods in my neighborhood (www.greatergoods.com). My eco love affair continues with my recyclable handbag that I purchased from Bombay Gal during my Atlanta vacation trip (www.bombay-gal.com). Java Green Cafe is one of my favorite places to eat and hang out at. I also adore Malcolm X-Meridian Hill Park, Shakti Mind Body Studio, Tranquil Space Studio, Flow Yoga Center, and of course my own home which is moving slowly towards an eco-friendly conversion. My favorite web sites are
most of the ones listed in the llinks on the home page.
Follow Ananda's Creative Adventures on Utterz. Read Her Go Green BAP's Poetry
Click on the button below to learn about Ananda's green living journey.
Copyright 2008 by Madelyn C. Leeke. All righs reserved.
Yesterday was Ash Wednesday.
I went to see my acupunturist Don and had the most lovely session.
When I left his office, the winds were blowing against a February sky marked by early Spring weather.
It allowed me to sit in Dupont Circle Park and read the words of Alice Walker.
My eyes soaked up the meditations pressed inside Alice's book, We Are The Ones We Have Been Waiting For.
The title, steeped in Hopi Indian wisdom and Sweet Honey and the Rock lyrics, traveled with me as I joined my friend Yael in walking the labryinth outside of a church on 18th Street.
It opened my heart so wide that I was able to fill it with with Super Tuesday joy.
My joyful heart blossomed into a beautiful bouquet of images of what happens when we believe "Yes We Can" and shine the spirit of positive possibilities into our words, thoughts, and actions.
I saw the brilliance of our inner light shining into the darkness.
It illuminated our path as humanity.
We became walking lamps unto ourselves in the way that the sage Buddha taught us.
Our power to bring change into our inner and outer lives expanded into our community... our sangha... our universe.
Separation ended.
And the next phase of heaven on earth was born...
The image ended with a message printed in the sky:
"We must never forget that YES WE CAN change ourselves, our families, our America, our Mother Earth, our universe. Let's live in love and be Love's Troubadours .... singing YES WE CAN as we usher in a new way of being. YES WE CAN. YES WE CAN. YES WE CAN. AMEN."
Namaste.
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Happy New Year! Happy New Decade! Happy Dr. King Service Day!
Posted on January 18, 2010 at 7:30pm —
Celebrate Author Ananda Leeke's Official Book Release Party on 12.6.09 4pm in DC & Watch Countdown Video #1
Greetings All!
I hope your Thanksgiving was filled with fabulous food, fun, and family moments that fill your heart with joy, gratitude, and love.
Join me in celebrating Day 1 of the That Which Awakens Me Book Release Party Countdown. Check out the video below that features me reading an excerpt from Chapter 5 of my new book That Which Awakens Me: A Creative Woman’s Poetic Memoir of Self-Discovery. It discusses my writing life. For more information, visit w… Continue
I hope your Thanksgiving was filled with fabulous food, fun, and family moments that fill your heart with joy, gratitude, and love.
Join me in celebrating Day 1 of the That Which Awakens Me Book Release Party Countdown. Check out the video below that features me reading an excerpt from Chapter 5 of my new book That Which Awakens Me: A Creative Woman’s Poetic Memoir of Self-Discovery. It discusses my writing life. For more information, visit w… Continue
Posted on November 29, 2009 at 11:07pm —
Watch video of Artist Ananda Leeke's author chat about her artwork in her new book, That Which Awakens Me
Posted on November 8, 2009 at 9:34pm —
Watch video of Author Ananda Leeke's first author chat about the making of her new book, That Which Awakens Me: A Creative Woman's Poetic Memoir of Self-Discovery
Happy November!
Today I launched my first author chat on Ananda Leeke Live!, my new UStream.tv show: http://www.ustream.tv/channel/anandaleeke. During my author chat, I discussed the making of my new book, That Which Awakens Me: A Creative Woman's Poetic Memoir of Self-Discovery, outlined the ten chapters, shared juicy insights about my creative process and books that inspired my work, and read an excerpt from the introduction. See… Continue
Today I launched my first author chat on Ananda Leeke Live!, my new UStream.tv show: http://www.ustream.tv/channel/anandaleeke. During my author chat, I discussed the making of my new book, That Which Awakens Me: A Creative Woman's Poetic Memoir of Self-Discovery, outlined the ten chapters, shared juicy insights about my creative process and books that inspired my work, and read an excerpt from the introduction. See… Continue
Posted on November 1, 2009 at 5:41pm —
About
Support LIFE is LIVING!
LIFE is LIVING is a national campaign that utilizes a new form of green spoken storytelling — one that represents the diverse and changing perspectives on what it means to be environmentally just. For more information, visit http://www.lifeisliving.org. Please support their efforts.
Introducing LIFE is LIVING from MVMT on Vimeo
Events
February 2010
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Energy Trust Better Living Show
March 26, 2010 at 12pm to March 28, 2010 at 5pm – Portland Expo Center
Wisdom
“You already know it: Money can’t buy joy, so instead of spending your earnings, spend time on things that really do delight you.”
Videos
© 2010 Created by Ananda Kiamsha Madelyn Leeke on Ning. Create a Ning Network!
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Thanks for putting this together.
Om Shanti.
Just popping in to say hello. Please send me details about the Buddhist meditation class.
Namaste,
Evelyn
I am excited to join your green group. I learned about it thru twitter. I want to check out your radio show also. I want to invite you to listen to my new blogtalk radio show on health and wellness also. The link is on my page here. The show airs every Thursday night at 10 pm, cst. On Oct. 2nd we will be talking about the herbal flu shot.
Drop by and send me a "shout out."
Peace,
Marguerite
http://motherknowsbest.typepad.com
Thanks for the warm welcome and I'm looking forward to being part of this sangha, too!
Namaste!
Tracy
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